Kickboxer Badr Hari Says He's Coming to Boxing, Slams Adamek and Arreola
by Scott Christ on Aug 19, 2011 6:29 AM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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Kickboxing superstar Badr Hari is one of the world's top heavyweights in his sport, and in an interview with FightHype, has slammed a couple of top-ranked heavyweights and says he's looking to start a new career in the boxing world:
"I look at guys like [Tomasz] Adamek and [Chris] Arreola and if they are considered the top of the division, I kinda laugh at that. I think I am ready for those guys right now. Or Monte Barrett, who just beat David Tua. ... I just want to f**k people up."
This is a cute quote, but that's about it. Adamek is a heavyweight contender, former cruiserweight champion, and former top light heavyweight and titleholder there. Arreola has become one of the more popular fighters in the division, and is seemingly putting his days of being, well, kind of a slob behind him.
Hari, at 6'6", is a big guy who could potentially make the transition. At 26, he's young enough to do so, and he's already got some experience. He also, despite the headline-grabber quote above, doesn't seem as delusional as you might think. He knows it would be an adjustment and that he'd have to learn, and he's not looking to call out the Klitschkos yet. I just think he's got the opinion that a lot of people do: Beyond the Klitschkos, the division just isn't good.
But I do quibble with one thing he seems to insinuate, that crowds aren't coming out for heavyweight boxing. That's not true. In America, the division is all but dead. But in Germany, the Klitschkos sell out stadiums and plenty of other guys can bring in solid crowds, too. David Haye is a big draw in the UK. Tomasz Adamek sells huge in Poland (and sells well in New Jersey, too).
If Hari actually makes the move to boxing -- take it with a punch of salt -- he'll start lower than Adamek or Arreola or even Barrett. I do think he has the physical tools to be a success, if he really dedicates himself to the boxing game and takes his time. He's also got a personality that is easy to sell -- he's a "bad boy," and he could make a name for himself in the media before he ever does so in the ring. As he is right now, I don't think he'd be technically good enough to beat anyone of any substance in boxing's heavyweight division, and certainly wouldn't beat Adamek or Arreola. He's just not a good enough pure boxer yet. That's just my opinion.
For more on Badr Hari and kickboxing, check out our sister site, Head Kick Legend.
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Hmm… my perspective, and I’m a marital artist and serious boxing fan, is that he has the potential. he’s athletic and quick. However, it seems his kicks are better than his punches. His punches are kind of wide, he only uses his upper body for most of the power, doesn’t using his weight or hips, and his punches are kind of stiff too. It will be exciting though, but he’s def. got his work cut out for him. I do say GSP, Anderson Silva, and Nick Diaz have better boxing ability than this guy, but that’s just me. Holler!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
What up Lee? Long time no see
Your critique of Hari’s game is pretty accurate, however those are all things that can be fixed and he has expressed interest in training with Roach. Like Duan posted a couple spots down its his chin that might hold him back. I think under Roaches tutelage he may be a legit contender.
by ultimoshogun on Aug 19, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Sup! But I think the switch will be harder than he thinks. I think any real good stand up guy will still need about 2 years in boxing to compete professionally… and that’s starting from the beginning! That means more road work, sparring, mitt work, bag work etc. Do they have the patience and will? Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz both have a grand total of 3 professional boxing fights between the two of them. Why? It’s too damn hard to do both, each need a full time focus. Especially if you’re established in one sport, it’ll be difficult to start again from the bottom and work your way up. In my experience, a lot of kickboxers/martial artists arrogantly think boxing is “just hands” and a bunch of jabs, hook, uppercuts and bouncing on your toes. The same could be the same the other way around: most boxers/wrestlers would need just as much if not more time to learn martial arts stand up. I would say 5 years minimum to be proficient and build that flexibility. That’s why many UFC guys look so ugly when they kick to someone’s head: they’ve probably only been training for 3-5 years in the stand up arts. Anyway, yeah, it’ll be hard for me to believe this guy has the patience, work ethic, and perseverance to be a real threat in the division, I say Arroela can take him in 3 rounds now, but let’s see what happens in 4-5 years. See ya!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
Yo! Been following jon jones? that guy is amazing! I heard Cung Le is gonna be in UFC 39 agst vitor bifort! I hope so! That’ll be awesome, and he’s nearing 40!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
Yeah, I agree, he’ll have to be 100% bout boxing if he wants to succeed…looks like K-1 is pretty much dead anyway unfortunately, i’ll be surprised if there’s a Grand Prix this year. Jon Jones is a freak, I honestly don’t see any of the current LHW’s beating him…he’ll probly break Anderson’s record for title defenses.
by ultimoshogun on Aug 19, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
serious? and what’s the record btw? i dunno! hit me up! cylee1180@yahoo.com what happened to K-1?
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
K-1 is coming back. They're had some major issues - put plainly, the business practices of Japanese promotions are troubling.
They will be back soon enough though. There should be a heavyweight grand prix event in the next couple months.
by Brent Ducharme on Aug 20, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s interesting for me that because I watch so much boxing now, I don’t see all punches as being equal. Like cylee says, this guy has good kicks, but his punches definitely need work. He’s wide and kind of uses the punches as a way to set up the kicks, which I imagine works really well in Kickboxing but of course, will not work as well in a sport where you can’t set up kicks and you need to set up more punches.
Bob Arum would promote Lucifer himself if he could put asses in the seats.
As a side note, I wish I could have easier access to Kickboxing fights. I’d watch that as well.
Bob Arum would promote Lucifer himself if he could put asses in the seats.
I'm the editor over at Head Kick Legend, which Scott linked to...
The sport is still very underdeveloped in many regards, but there are some really solid events available (primarily streaming online)… Head on over to HKL some time and we’ll take care of you. In fact, there’s a pretty interesting Muay Thai event happening in Nevada tonight around 8:00 EST. I’ve got a link to the stream (unfortunately not free) going up pretty soon.
by Brent Ducharme on Aug 20, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I really like Badr
but my concern moving over would definitely be his chin. It’s really not that good.
He is quick, dynamic, explosive etc though. He could have some good fights
Like Overeem saying he'll fight the Klitschkos
Boxing always looks easy until you get in there. K-1 experience in no way prepares you for an honest to god World Title fight. There are no Akebonos or 45-year-old Peter Aerts.
Most people don't know shit about boxing. At all. Period. - Roger Mayweather
by The Kittitas Kid on Aug 19, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions
open
Bari is wide open to the counter in his fights. He is gonna get blasted.
by edub001 on Aug 19, 2011 2:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Glad to see you putting this up, Scott.
I would have to agree as far as where Hari is at with his boxing. As in the discussions of boxing and mixed martial arts, we’re just dealing with totally different entities.
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